Introducing the EBC Member Interview Program

Helping Members Showcase the Knowledge Behind Their Business

The way customers find local businesses is changing.

For years, business owners focused on search engines, online directories, and customer reviews. While those tools are still important, an increasing number of people are now asking AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Siri questions such as:

• “Who’s a good mortgage lender in Coeur d’Alene?”
• “Can you recommend an experienced chiropractor near Hayden?”
• “Who specializes in commercial insurance for small businesses?”
• “I’m looking for a trusted handyman in North Idaho.”

Instead of simply displaying a list of websites, these AI assistants are identifying businesses that consistently demonstrate expertise and provide helpful, trustworthy information.

Elite Business Connections believes our members should be prepared for this evolution in how customers discover local businesses. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the EBC Member Interview Program—a new, optional member benefit designed to help members showcase the knowledge, experience, and professionalism behind their business.

Rather than asking busy business owners to write articles or update their websites, we’ll do the heavy lifting. Through a relaxed, one-on-one interview, we’ll gather the information needed to create professional content that highlights your expertise and helps prospective customers better understand the value you bring to the community.

A New Benefit for EBC Members

Every participating member will receive a professionally written Member Spotlight article published on the Elite Business Connections website. The interview will also help us enhance your Member Directory profile, making it more informative and valuable for visitors looking to connect with trusted local professionals.

As your interview uncovers additional stories and insights, we’ll have the opportunity to create more content that showcases your expertise, including:

• Educational articles that answer common customer questions
• Industry tips and practical advice
• Frequently asked questions about your profession
• Project highlights and success stories
• Business updates and community involvement
• Future member spotlights as your business continues to grow

The goal isn’t to create advertising.

The goal is to capture the knowledge you’ve built throughout your career and present it in a way that helps people understand why you’re the right professional for the job.

Meet Your Interview Host

The Member Interview Program is led by Ed Bejarana, Secretary of Elite Business Connections and owner of Main Street WebWorks.

Ed has spent more than 35 years helping organizations communicate their knowledge through technology, publishing, websites, audio production, and digital media. During the past 19 years, he has designed and managed thousands of WordPress websites for businesses, nonprofit organizations, and professionals across a wide variety of industries.

A published author with 11 titles available on Amazon, Ed has also narrated and produced dozens of audiobooks and thousands of podcast episodes. His career has been centered on helping experts organize, communicate, and share what they know in ways that educate, build trust, and connect with people seeking answers.

As an AI and SEO expert with Main Street WebWorks, Ed helps small businesses improve their online discoverability by organizing their expertise into content that answers real customer questions. Rather than focusing solely on traditional search engine optimization, his approach helps businesses build topical authority through educational articles, frequently asked questions, expert interviews, project stories, and case studies.

“Every business owner has accumulated years—sometimes decades—of valuable experience,” says Ed. “The challenge isn’t having the knowledge; it’s organizing and sharing it in a way that helps the next customer find it. That’s what this program is all about.”

What We’ll Talk About

Every interview is relaxed and conversational. There are no prepared speeches or presentations—just an opportunity to talk about the work you enjoy and the experience you’ve gained over the years.

Some of the topics we may discuss include:

• How you got started in your profession
• What inspired you to start your business
• The types of customers you enjoy serving
• Common questions people ask before hiring someone in your industry
• Mistakes customers should avoid
• Memorable projects and success stories
• Trends you’re seeing within your profession
• Advice you frequently give to clients
• Your involvement in the local community
• Why you chose to become a member of Elite Business Connections

Most interviews take about 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, we’ll transform that conversation into content that represents your business professionally and accurately.

Why This Benefits Everyone

This program is about much more than creating another web page.

Every Member Spotlight, educational article, interview, and question-and-answer page becomes another piece of evidence demonstrating the experience and expertise of our members. As that knowledge grows, it creates stronger AI Signals—the information modern AI assistants use to better understand businesses and the professionals behind them.

For our members, that means more opportunities to be recognized as trusted experts within their profession. When someone asks an AI assistant a question related to your industry, content that demonstrates your knowledge helps reinforce what your business does, who you serve, and the types of problems you solve.

Elite Business Connections benefits as well.

As our website grows into a trusted resource filled with helpful information from local professionals, it becomes more valuable to prospective members, customers, and search platforms alike. Every interview strengthens not only the individual member’s professional presence, but also the collective authority of the Elite Business Connections website.

The result is a virtuous cycle. Better member content creates stronger AI Signals. Stronger AI Signals help more people discover our members and our organization. As Elite Business Connections grows, every member benefits from belonging to an organization recognized for the knowledge and expertise of its members.

Participation Is Your Choice

The Member Interview Program is an optional benefit available to every Elite Business Connections member.

Whether you’ve been a member for years or recently joined the organization, you’re welcome to participate whenever the timing is right for you. There’s no pressure and no obligation—just another way Elite Business Connections is investing in the success of its members.

If you’d like to schedule your interview, simply contact Ed Bejarana or speak with him at an upcoming Elite Business Connections meeting.

We look forward to helping you showcase the knowledge behind your business and sharing your story with the community we proudly serve.